ebony

[ eb-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural eb·on·ies.

1. a hard, heavy, durable wood, most highly prized when black, from various tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, as D. ebenum of southern India and Sri Lanka, used for cabinetwork, ornamental objects, etc.
2. any tree yielding such wood.
3. any of various similar woods or trees.
4. a deep, lustrous black.

adjective

1. Also made of ebony.
2. of a deep, lustrous black.

ebony

/ ˈɛbənɪ /

noun

1. any of various tropical and subtropical trees of the genus Diospyros, esp D. ebenum of S India, that have hard dark wood: family Ebenaceae See also persimmon
2. the wood of such a tree, much used for cabinetwork
3. 1. a black colour, sometimes with a dark olive tinge
   2. ( as adjective )

      an ebony skin

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebony¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier hebeny; ebon; -y perhaps after ivory

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebony¹

C16 hebeny , from Late Latin ebeninus from Greek ebeninos, from ebenos ebony, of Egyptian origin

Example Sentences

Word of the overhaul, made without public discussion, filtered out in August to those involved in BSAP, including Ebony Batiste, a restorative justice teacher at 74th Street Elementary School in South L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

A group of black women from Essex and London-based support group Ebony Bonds have been using their experiences to help other families.

From BBC

Mrs Reeves, who has a history of miscarriage, now helps others through Ebony Bonds.

From BBC

"That was the first time we had seen England compete against them in years," said Ebony Rainford-Brent, who was part of the 2009-World Cup winning squad.

From BBC

The Jacksons undergo the hardships of poverty, familial dysfunction and generational curses when demons latch onto their circumstances, leaving Ebony to fight for redemption.

From Salon